5 Reasons to Pick Pineapple

This beautifully sweet, tropical fruit is a favorite of both young and old. Not only does it have the power to invoke images of sunny afternoons on the beach, but pineapple also offers a host of benefits to your health. Discover tasty ways to add this superfood to your meal plan with some of our best pineapple recipes, and learn more about the health benefits of this healthful fruit below.

Bromelain offers the key to many of Pineapple’s health benefits. Bromelain breaks down protein to aid in digestion and can also be useful as an anti-inflammatory. Bromelain has been shown to be useful in treating acute sinusitis, arthritis, gout, sore throats, as well gastrointestinal issues.

2. Pineapples are High in Antioxidants

Pineapples are an excellent source of Vitamin C and help to fight off the free radicals that seek to attack healthy cells. Antioxidants decrease inflammation and help to prevent asthma, heart disease, arthritis, and certain types of cancers. Vitamin C is also effective in fighting off common illnesses, like the cold and flu, and works to strengthen the immune system.

3. Pineapples Keep Eyes Healthy

The antioxidants found in pineapple are also helpful in maintaining healthy eyes. They work to protect against age-related eye conditions, like cataracts and glaucoma, and they are also beneficial in lowering the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness.

4. Pineapples Can Increase Your Energy Levels

Pineapple is an excellent source of manganese, a mineral that helps the body produce energy. Pineapples also contain thiamine, which works with energy producing enzymes to keep you going all day long.

5. Pineapples are Easier to Eat than You Think

Don’t let the process of cutting into a pineapple deter you from enjoying all that this sweet fruit has to offer. If traditional cutting methods get you down, there are several pineapple cutting tools on the market that can make slicing pineapple a breeze. If pineapple isn’t in season, canned pineapple can offer almost as many health benefits as fresh pineapple. Just be sure to select canned pineapple that is bathed in its own juices.